Civil Engineer Salary in Erie, PA: $81,457 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Erie, PA earns a median $81,457/year (≈ $39.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Erie's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $89,562 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.5% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Erie, Pennsylvania, can expect a median annual salary of $81,457, which is notably lower than the national median of $103,492. The salary range for this profession in Erie extends from $68,464 at the 10th percentile to $133,706 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational employment statistics, reflects the impact of increased infrastructure spending resulting from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The demand for civil engineering professionals is growing as cities like Erie allocate funds for crucial development projects, suggesting that opportunities for civil engineers are likely to remain strong in the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,464 | $32.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,301 | $37.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,457 | $39.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,571 | $58.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,706 | $64.29 |
Median Salary Position
21.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, PA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,242 (2026 est.). At $81,457, the local median is 21.29% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Erie Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Erie median: $81,457/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $97,554 | -16.50% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -21.29% less |
Civil Engineers in Erie, PA earn a median of $81,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.29% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 16.50% below the Pennsylvania state average of $97,554.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, PA has a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $81,457 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,562 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,230
2025 BLS Actual
$79,370
2026 Current Est.
$81,457
2019–2027 Growth
+19.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,457 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,600 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 13.0% from $70,230 (2019) to $79,370 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,600 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,370 (19.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $68,464 – $77,301 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,301 – $81,457 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,457 – $122,571 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,571 – $133,706 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Erie
The employment landscape for civil engineers in Erie includes approximately 130 professionals currently working in the area, a number that reflects the city's prioritization of infrastructure enhancements. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95, engineers in Erie enjoy a comparatively favorable purchasing power, allowing them to maximize their earnings when balancing housing, transportation, and everyday expenses. Top earners in this region often come from large engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs or from Fortune 500 construction companies like Bechtel. Factors impacting salary variability include the level of the PE license, specialization in high-demand areas like structural or geotechnical engineering, and the size of the employing firm. For civil engineers aiming to boost their pay in Erie, obtaining licensure, pursuing positions in sectors benefiting from the ongoing infrastructure boom, and seeking roles in top-tier firms can significantly enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $79,370 for civil engineersin the Erie metropolitan area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov